Dedicated to the Memory of
my youngest brother
William James Austill I


Thoughts on the tragic & unexpected passing of my brother
William James Austill, I.


What is a life? How short (a life) is too short?
How long a life is long enough?
Will was only 48 years 9 months 17 days, that seems so young...so short a life...

(And yet Cameron (my grandson) was only 11 weeks...we hardly had a chance to know him...
Our father, Elzy, passed away at age 33, (the day Will was born)...so short a life...
Our Grandpa Cook died at age 29 (in the flu epidemic of 1918).
Mom wasn't even born until March, 1919...never even saw her father...)

Perhaps a few generations ago 48 years 9 months 17 days wouldn't seem so short...

What is life? Maybe that's a better question to ponder...
The Bible says life is like a vapor...
just there for a short time...
then gone...
so true!

What is a Hero?

I mean a true hero,
quite unlike a "modern-day hero" (sports star -- rock star -- rap star -- or, sadly,
some even view criminals as heros, especially the ones that "get away with it"),

A true hero (to me at least) is someone who puts his life on the line
for what he (or she) believes in, usually protecting or helping another,
willing to pay the ultimate price, if necessary.

A police officer, fireman, soldier or other military person...
even the "regular" person that performs some action that saves a life or such.
Sometimes we have parades or other recognition for these heroes,
especially the ones that sacrificed their lives.

On July 31, 2001, Will confronted a man who was stealing from his boss' business.
It wasn't his job to do so,
he could have ignored it like so many (most?) of us would,
but he knew it was wrong and stood up for what was right.
The man then took Will's life.

No, Will's sacrifice won't ever be celebrated with a parade or public recognition,
but, in his own quiet way,
he gave his life in his stand for right and against wrong.

...To me that makes him a hero...

Farewell dear brother, we all miss you very much...


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